Riding toy



Jan. 27, 1959 H. H. BLOCK 2,871,015

RIDING TOY Filed March 1, 1956 INVENITOR.

2,871,015 Patented 27, 1955 RIDING TOY Herman H. Block, Chicago, Ill. Application March 1, 1956, Serial No. 568,826

Claims. (Cl. 272-1) This invention relates to a riding toy or similar structure.

Various types of riding devices, particularly riding toys for children, have. been designed to simulate motions of natural objects. Thus, it is customary to have toy automobilesadapted to be ridden by children, toy horses, and

similar articles. In recent years,.there has alsobeen a demand for toy airplanes, rocket ships, space ships, and other such devices that would simulate motion with a particular type of craft being copied. The invention here is concerned with adding structure that will provide both a rocking motion and simultaneously an oscillating, swinging motion, each under the control ofthe operator.

One of the features of this invention is to provide a riding toy or the like comprising a body having a rider supporting portion, a support for the body upon which the body is mounted for oscillation about an axis, and means for oscillating the body accessible from the rider supporting portion comprising a control member engaging the body at an area that at least approximately coincid es with the axis of oscillation; i i

Another feature of the invention is to provide improved means for oscillating a rider supporting body about an axis, with this oscillating means engaging the body at an area at least adjacent to the axis of oscillation. Other features and advantages of the invention will be apparent from the following description of one embodiment thereof taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings.

Of the drawings:

Figure l is a perspective view of one embodiment of the invention;

Figure 2 is a section taken substantially along line 2-2 of Figure 1;

Figure 3 is a sectional elevation taken substantially along line 33of Figure 2; and Figure 4 is a detailed view partially broken away for clarity ofillustration of the dashboard portion of the toy and structure associated therewith.

In the embodiment shown in the drawings, the. toy is an airplane comprising a fuselage 10, wings 11, and stabilizers 12. The fuselage has a cockpit 13 adapted to be entered by the rider with a seat 14 and backrest 15 associated therewith. The seat 14and wings 11 are preferably integral and the seat is supported above the bottom 16 of the fuselage by means of supports 17a.

The fuselage is provided with a front panel 17 and a rear panel 18 on opposite ends thereof. The rear panel 18 is provided with a bushing 19 extending therethrough, and Within this bushing there is provided a rearwardly extending bolt 20 provided on its outer end with a nut 21. This bolt extends through and is supported by an inverted U-shaped tube 22 at about the center thereof, with the opposite ends of the tube extending downwardly and away from each other. Located immediately beneath the bolt 20 and attached to the rear panel 18 is a rearwardly extending rubber covered pin 23 of sufiicient 2 length so that it extends into the space between the ends of the tube 22. i

Mounted on the front panel 17 is a similarbushing 24 that rotatably supports the front end of a combined attachingdmember and oscillation control member in the form of a metal rod 25. The front end of this rod extends through the bushing 24 and through a second inverted U-shaped tube 26 of a shape and dimension substantially the same as those of the first tube 22. The

extreme forward end of the rod 25 is provided with a nut 27. Beneath th ebushing 24 there is provided a second pin 28 extending forwardly between the downwardly diverging arms of the tube 26. The pins 23 and 28 provide a means forlimiting the oscillation of the fuselage about the axis of the bolt 20 and rod 25.

Located in the forward portion of the cockpit 13 is a dashboard 29. Positioned in this dashboard is a bushing 30 through which the metal rod 25 extends. The portion of the rod 25 on the cockpit side of the dashboard 29 is provided with an upwardly extending arm portion 25a having secured to the upper end thereof a hand grip 31.

The portion of the rod 25 between the front panel 17 and the dashboard 29 is substantially aligned with the bolt 20 and the rod and bolt are located above the center of gravity of the fuselage 10. Because of this, the fuselage is in efiect suspended for oscillation about an axis that is determined by the rod 25 and bolt 20. The extentof oscillation is controlled by the pins 23 and. 28, which engage the arms of the tubes 22 and 26 at the ends of the path of oscillation.

In. order to hold the fuselage against oscillation, such as when the rider is mounting or dismounting, there is provided a brake means, here shown as a brake rod 32, extending through the front panel 17 and the dashboard 29 and longitudinally slidable with respect thereto. The front end of the brake rod 32 engages an opening in a transverse metal strap 33 that extends between the arms of the tube 26. Thus, when the front endof the brake rod 32 is in engagement with this strap, the fuselage is locked against oscillation.

In order to urge the brake rod 32 into forward braking position, there isprovided a compression spring ,34 ex r tending between the rear surface of the dashboard 29 and a collar 35 that is attached to the brake rod 32. The end of the brake rod 32 on the cockpit side of the dashboard 29 is provided with a combined handle and stop 36. When the brake rod 32 is pulled rearwardly by means of the handle 36 to disengage the forward end of the rod from the strap 33 so that the fuselage is free to oscillatethe brake rod, the handle may be turned to the position shown in dotted lines in Figure 4 so that theforwardly extending end 36a of the handle will bear against the dashboard. In this position, the brake rod is retained out of engagement with the strap 33 so that the fuselage is free to oscillate. In order to provide means for rocking the toy forwardly and rearwardly, there is provided a pair of metal tubes 37 and 38 having bent, substantially parallel ends, as illustrated at 38a and 38b, removably telescoped within corresponding ends of the tubes 22 and 26. The rocker tubes 37 and 38 are of substantially the same size. and shape and, when in position as shown in the drawings, permit the fuselage 10 to be rocked forwardly and rearwardly on these rockers 37 and 38. The forward portion, as illustrated at 38c, and the rearward portion, as illustrated at 38d, of each rocker is flattened as illustrated in Figures 1 and 2. This construction not only provides a safety feature to prevent the toys rocking over on its ends but also provides a pause at each end of the .rockin path which adds to the enjoyment of the rider.

The metal rod 25, whichformsa partof the-attaching member and oscillation control member, may be oscillated relative to the supporting tube 26 by means of the operating arm 25a. This oscillation causes oscillation of the fuselage 110 by means of an activating portion, here shown as a transverse tube 39, extending transversely of 'and attached to the rod 25 at 'a point which is in frontxof the dashboard 29. This transverse tube is attached to the rod .25 so that when the rod is oscillated by means of the operating member 25a, the tube .is also oscillated. The tube v39 has its ends resiliently attached to the fuselage 10. In the embodimentshown, this resilient attaching is provided by-a resilient, elongated, rubber endless strap 40-extending through the tube 39 and having each :end looped over books 41 ;and 42 attached to the dashboard 29. These hooks 41.and 42 are spaced apart on opposite sides of the axis of oscillation that is determinedbytherod25 andthe bolt as great a distance as possible. .The resilient attaching means may be any resilient structure including springs .or the like, but a rubberelement similar to the .rubberstrap '40 is preferred because it is much quieter than springs or the like.

With this construction and with the parts in the position shown in Figure 2, .the child using the toy may enter thecockpit 13 by stepping on a wing 11 and then enter the cockpit. The fuselage will not tip to the side be cause of the engagement of the brake rod 32 with the strap 33. ,After the child has seated himself on the seat 14, he releases the brake by pulling rearwardly on the handle 36 and turning it ineithera Clockwise or counterclockwise direction so that when he releases the handle, the end .3611 willbear against thedashboard 29. Thus, he moves the rod 32 against the urge of the spring 34. The collar 35 and'the spring 34 prevent the rod from being drawn rearwardly an excessive distance.

When the brake is thus released, the rider can cause the toy airplane-to perform a number of different operations. Thus, by throwing "his weight rearwardly and forwardly, he can-rock the airplane upon its rockers'37 and 38. Because of the 'flatte'ned portions illustrated at 33c'and'38d on'the rockers, "he will get a-pause momentarily at each end of the rocking movement. These pauses add to the illustion thatthe child is flying with swoops and glides.

'In addition to the rocking movement, the child may also provide a controlled sideways swinging or oscillating movement. This is brought aboutiby manipulation of the operating member here shown as the upturned arm portion a. Thus, by turning the arm 25a to one side of its upward position, the transverse tube 39 is turned to a corresponding position. This stresses each end of the rubber strap 40 againstthe hooks 41 and 42 and thus exerts atorque on the fuselage to cause the fuselage to oscillateto a corresponding direction. Thus, as is illus tratedin'Figure 3, the tube 39 may be turned in a counterclockwise direction .by movement of the arm 25a in a corresponding direction to the position shown in dotted lines in this figure. Theresilient rubber strap then pulls the fuselage to'a corresponding direction. With this constructio'n,'the rider of the toy may control the direction and extent of movement of "the airplane.

.As can be seen, the combined oscillating and rocking movement give the child an illusion of controlled movements through space. .Furthermore, because of the provision of the resilient connecting strap 40, the oscillation movementcomes about only after a short pause following movement of the .control arm 25a. This gives the illusion of an airplane .responding to its controls. .Fur thermore, because the airplane follows .the movement of the'control arm 25a, this arm has an action similar to the Icontrol stick .ofa conventional airplane.

Having described my inventionas related to the .embodiment shown in the accompanying drawings, it is my intention that the invention be-not limited by any of the details of description, unlesszotherwise specified, but rather he construedbroa'dly within-its spirit and scope as set cumin:theiaccompanyingaclaims.

I claim:

1. A riding toy comprising: a body having a rider supporting portion; a support for said body having supporting portions on opposite sides thereof supporting the body for oscillation about an axis; a first attaching member on one side of said body attaching the body and one supporting portion .for oscillation of the body; an oscillation control member having an extending portion in said body at substantiallythe axis of oscillation oscillatably engaging the body and the supporting portion on the other side of said body, said'control member having an operating member accessible from said rider supporting portion extending transversely to said axis; means operatively attaching said control member to said body whereby movement of said member oscillates said body; and means for limiting the extent of oscillation of said body.

2. A .riding toycomprising: anelongated body having a rider supporting portion intermediate the ends of the body; a support-tor said body having supporting portions on opposite ends thereof supporting the body for oscillation about an axis; a fir st attaching member on one end of said body attaching the .body and one supporting'portion for oscillation of the body; acombined second attaching member and oscillation control member having anextending portion within-thebody oscillatably mounted with respect-to thebody including an end extending from the body and oscillatablyengaging the second supporting portion said control member having an operating member accessible :from the rider supporting portion extending transversely .to said axis, and .an activating portion extending transversely to .said axis and to said extending portion; resilient means attachingsaid activating portion to the body .at spaced apart points .on opposite sides of said axis for imparting oscillation movement .to .said body; and means forlimiting the extent of oscillation of said'body.

3. A riding toy comprising: an elongated .bodyhaving a rider supporting portion intermediate the ends of the body; asupport for sa'id'body having supporting portions on opposite ends thereof supporting the body for oscilla tion about an axis and rockers extending between said supporting portions for rocking support of said body; a first attaching member on one end of said body attaching the body and one supporting portion for oscillation of the body; a combined second attaching member and oscillation control member having an extending portion within the body oscillatably mounted with respect to the body including an end extending from the body. and oscillatably engaging the second supporting portion, said control member having an operating member accessible from the rider supporting portion extending transversely to said axis, and an activating portion extending transversely to said axis and to said extending portion; resib ient means attachingsaid activatingportion to the body at spaced apart points on opposite sides of said axis for imparting oscillation movement to .said body; and means for limiting the extent of oscillation of said body.

4. The structure of claim 3 wherein said rockershave generally flattened sections at-each end thereof to cause the structure to pause at each end 'of its rockingmovement.

5. A riding toy comprising: a body having a rider supporting portion; a supportfor said body upon which the body is mounted for oscillation about an axis, said support including'rockers.formingwa means for permitting rocking .of said body ina direction substantially parallel to said axis, said axis extending substantially longitudinally of and above the center of gravity oi said body when a rider is supported thereon; means for oscillating said body accessible from said rider supporting portion comprising a control member having an extending portion substantially coinciding with said axis oscillatably mounted with respect .to .said .body, :said control memher having an operating portion extending transversely to said axis; means operatively attaching said control member to said body whereby movement of said member oscillates said body; means for limiting the extent of oscillation of said body; and releasable braking means engaging said body and said support for preventing said oscillation.

6. A riding toy comprising: an elongated body having a rider supporting portion intermediate the ends of the body; a support for said body having supporting portions on opposite ends thereof supporting the body for oscillation about a substantially horizontal axis that extends longitudinally of said body; a first attaching member on one end of said body attaching the body and one supporting portion for oscillation of the body; a combined second attaching member and oscillation control member having an extending portion within the body oscillatably mounted with respect to the body including an end extending from the body and oscillatably engaging the second supporting portion, an operating member on said extending portion accessible from the rider supporting por' tion extending transversely to said axis, and an activating portion also on said extending portion positioned transversely to said axis and to said operating member; resilient means attaching said activating portion to the body at spaced apart points on opposite sides of said axis; means for limiting the extent of oscillation of said body; and releasable braking means engaging said body and said support for preventing said oscillation.

7. A riding toy comprising: an elongated body having a rider supporting portion intermediate the ends of the body; a support for said body having supporting portions on opposite ends thereof supporting the body for oscillation about a substantially horizontal axis that extends longitudinally of said body and rockers extending between said supporting portions for rocking support of said body; a first attaching member on one end of said body attaching the body and one supporting portion for oscillation of the body; a combined second attaching member and oscillation control member having an extending portion within the body oscillatably mounted with respect to the body including an end extending from the body and oscillatably engaging the second supporting portion, an operating member carried on said extending portion accessible from the rider supporting portion extending transversely to said axis, and an activating portion also carried on said extending portion extending transversely to said axis and to said operating member; resilient means attaching said activating portion to the body at spaced apart points on opposite sides of said axis; means for limiting the extent of oscillation of said body; and releasable braking means engaging said body and said support for preventing said oscillation including a longi tudinally slidable brake rod in said body engaging an opening in one of said supporting portions.

3. A riding toy adapted to be activated by movements of the rider, comprising: a body having a portion receiving and supporting a rider; a support upon which the body is mounted for oscillation from side to side about an axis extending longitudinally of and intersecting the body; an elongated oscillation control member mounted on said body and engaging said body and said support said control member extending longitudinally of the body and oscillatable relative to the body about its own axis by a rider on said rider receiving portion, the oscillation control member including a rider manipulatable portion accessible from said rider supporting portion and an offset portion extending away from the axis of oscillation of the control member; and means movably connecting said offset portion to said body at an area spaced from said body axis and said control member axis for exerting a torque on said body about said body axis when the oscillation control member is oscillated by the rider about the control member axis.

9. The riding toy of claim 8 wherein said connecting means includes a resilient member.

10. A riding toy adapted to be activated by movements of the rider, comprising: a body having a portion receiving and supporting a rider; a support upon which the body is mounted for oscillation from side to side about an axis extending longitudinally of and intersecting the body, said support including rockers beneath the body providing a means for normally rockingly supporting the body on a floor for rocking the body forwardly and rearwardly substantially in the direction of said body oscillation axis; an elongated oscillation control member mounted on said body and engaging said body and said support, said control member extending longitudinally of the body and oscillatable relative to the body about its own axis by a rider on said rider receiving portion, the oscillation control member including a rider manipulatable portion accessible from said rider supporting portion and an ofiset portion extending away from the axis of oscillation of the control member; and means movably connecting said ofiset portion to said body at an area spaced from said body axis and said control member axis for exerting a torque on said body about said body axis when the oscillation control member is oscillated by the rider about the control member axis.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 2,144,206 Thompson Jan. 17, 1939 2,485,266 Edinburg Oct. 18, 1949 2,544,106 Ray Mar. 6, 1951 

